Mountain Construction

While it may be true that you can always read about history, it is a very rare occasion when you can actually step back into it. That unique opportunity is offered to visitors of the Old Prairie Town at Ward Meade Historic Site. Over the course of this history-laden one-half acre area, you can see, hear, and touch various examples of living history. Some of the many highlights and attractions include a fully restored 1870 Victorian mansion, a wood cabin, a train depot, a one-room schoolhouse, a stone barn, a church and a general store. Don't forget to check out the gift shop and the nearby botanical garden.

When the leaves begin to turn color at the beginning of autumn, Topeka residents know that the Cider Days Fall Festival will be happening soon. This popular event has been held for the past 18 years and is the primary fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Kansas. This event draws guests from northern Kansas as well as the surrounding areas. Cider Days pays tribute to the pioneers who established and settled Kansas. Attractions at this popular gathering include live music, food, games, and arts and crafts.

Many hikers and bikers in Topeka enjoy the experience of moving along the Dornwood Park Trail. The trail is located in southeast Topeka and accessible from a trailhead on SE 25th Street, east of California Avenue. The recreational trail winds through the heavily forested Deer Creek and features some challenging, rolling terrain, prairie grasses and breathtaking views.

The art of dance is both preserved and passed down thanks to the tireless efforts of the people both onstage and behind the scenes at the Kansas Ballet. Aside from staging several entertainment events throughout the year, not the least of which is the Christmas classic The Nutcracker, the Kansas Ballet also works to foster the talents of young performers with a steady offering of dance instruction and various other art programs that enhance both the skill and spirit of aspiring performers.